Washing machine water and chemical delivery apparatus

ABSTRACT

An improved washing machine is provided with a water delivery system formed into the lid for delivering water to various additive compartments. A detergent compartment is formed in the lid, and the water delivery system includes outlet holes for flushing detergent from the detergent compartment. A bleach compartment and a fabric softener compartment are provided in the cabinet, with the water delivery system having outlets for flushing bleach and fabric softener from these compartments. The water delivery system also includes a plurality of shower holes for providing a wet down shower to laundry in the drum of the washing machine. Water traps are formed in the water delivery system so as to prevent accidental spilling of water onto a user or into the drum when the lid is raised from a closed position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Washing machines include compartments for holding variousadditives, such as detergent, bleach, and fabric softener. Thesecompartments are typically formed in the cabinet of the washing machine,with hoses or conduits leading from a water supply to the compartmentsto flush the additive to the washing machine drum at the appropriatetime during the wash and rinse cycles. The hoses and conduits mustextend around the access opening in the top of the cabinet, and thusgenerally take long curved paths to reach the various additivecompartments.

[0002] While most machines are adapted to receive liquid or particulatedetergent, some consumers prefer detergent tablets. The tabletstypically are difficult to flush away with flowing water, such that theuse of detergent tablets is less than ideal.

[0003] It is also desirable to provide a pre-wash wet down or shower ofclothes or laundry in the drum, particularly for large loads. However,conventional washing machines typically have a very small area of showerholes, which does not optimize the wet down.

[0004] Accordingly, a primary objective of the present invention is theprovision of a washing machine with an improved water and chemicaldelivery system.

[0005] Another objective of the present invention is the provision of awashing machine having a lid with water channels formed therein fordirecting water to additive compartments.

[0006] Another objective of the present invention is the provision of awashing machine having a detergent compartment adapted to receivedetergent tablets which can be effectively flushed away with flowingwater.

[0007] A further objective of the present invention is the provision ofa washing machine having an enlarged area of shower holes for wettingdown laundry in the tub.

[0008] Another objective of the present invention is the provision of awashing machine wherein the water delivery system is formed in the lidof the machine.

[0009] Another objective of the present invention is the provision of awashing machine wherein the detergent compartments are in the lid of thewashing machine.

[0010] A further objective of the present invention is the provision ofa washing machine wherein the wet down shower holes are in the lid ofthe machine.

[0011] These and other objectives will become apparent from thefollowing description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An improved washing machine is provided with a water deliverysystem formed in the lid for delivering water to various additivecompartments in the washing machine. The water delivery system includeswater channels molded into the lid. The additive compartments include adetergent compartment in the lid, with the water delivery system havingoutlets for flushing detergent from the detergent compartment. Thedetergent compartment can dispense detergent in the form of liquid,powder, or tablets. The detergent compartment may include a ceiling wallwith ribs adapted to space a detergent tablet above the ceiling wall toenhance exposure of the tablet to water. The ribs are sloped tofacilitate discharge of the tablet into the tub of the washing machine.

[0013] The additive compartments also include a bleach compartment and afabric softener compartment in the cabinet, with the water deliverysystem having outlets to direct water into the bleach and fabricsoftener compartments. The water delivery system also includes aplurality of shower holes to provide a wet down to laundry in the tub. Awater trap is formed in the water delivery system to retain water whenthe lid is raised from the closed position, thereby preventing waterfrom accidentally splashing on the user or into the drum when the lid israised.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the washing machine lid assemblyof the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the lid assembly.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the lid assembly.

[0017]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the inner and outer lids, theretainer brackets, and the detergent dispenser of the lid assembly.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the inner lid.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 2.

[0020]FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 2.

[0021]FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the detergent dispenser showing thewater flow path through the dispenser.

[0022]FIG. 9 is a view of the lid assembly of the present inventionmounted on a washing machine cabinet.

[0023]FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the detergentdispenser.

[0024]FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of one of the retainer brackets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The lid assembly 10 of the present invention is intended for useon a vertical axis washing machine. As seen in FIG. 9, the washingmachine includes a cabinet 12 with an opening 14 providing access to theinner drum (not shown).

[0026] The lid assembly 10 includes an outer lid 18 and an inner lid 20.The outer lid 18 is preferably made of sheet metal and is porcelaincoated. The inner lid 20 is preferably made of plastic and is secured tothe outer lid 18 without the use of screws or other fasteners whichpenetrate the outer lid 18, as described below.

[0027] As best seen in FIG. 4, the outer lid 18 includes a front edge22, a rear edge 24, and opposite side edges-26. The edges 22, 24, 26extend substantially perpendicular to the primary surface 28 of theouter lid 18. A perimeter flange or lip 30 extends inwardly from theedges 22, 24, 26.

[0028] A pair of mounting or retainer brackets 32 reside along the sideedges 26 adjacent the rear corners 34 of the outer lid 18. The brackets32 are held in position by the perimeter flange 30 of the outer lid 18.Each bracket 32 includes a key slot 36 and a snap receiver 38. Eachbracket 32 also includes a pin or post 40 which extends through a hole42 in the side edges 26 adjacent the rear corners 34 of the outer lid18. The pins 40 are also received in corresponding holes (not shown) inthe cabinet 12 adjacent the access opening 14, thereby defining ahorizontal pivot axis which allows the lid assembly 10 to move betweenopen and closed positions relative to the access opening 14.

[0029] The inner lid 20 includes a front or outer surface 44 and a rearor inner surface 46. The inner lid 20 also includes a front edge 48, arear edge 50, and the opposite side edges 52. As seen in FIG. 5, a pairof key tabs or locking tabs 54 extend from the inner surface 46 adjacentthe opposite side edges 52 of the inner lid 20. The key tabs 54 areadapted to be received in the key slots 36 of the retainer brackets 32.The key tabs 54 generally have a T-shaped structure with a head and aleg. The key slots 36 include a lower end sufficiently large to receivethe head of the key tabs 54, and a narrow upper portion which receivesthe leg of the key tabs 54 while retaining the head thereof.

[0030] The inner lid 20 also includes a pair of snap tabs 56 adjacentthe rear edge 50. The snap tabs 56 are adapted to be received in thesnap receivers 38 of the retainer brackets 32. The snap tabs 56 areinserted into the snap receivers 38 after the key tabs 54 are slidupwardly into the narrow portion of the key slots 36. As the key tabs 54are slid into the key slots 36, the front edge 48 of the inner lid 20 isreceived under the perimeter flange 30 adjacent the front edge 22 of theouter lid 18. Spacer tabs 58 are formed in the front edge 48 of theinner lid 20 so as to provide a snug fit in the front edge 22 of theouter lid 18.

[0031] The front surface 44 of the inner lid 20 includes a recess 60 forreceiving a detergent dispenser 62. More particularly, a pair of slots64 are provided in the inner lid 20 adjacent the rear edge 50 thereof.The slots 64 are adapted to receive mounting tabs 66, which also extendunder or capture the perimeter flange 30 of the outer lid adjacent therearward edge 24 thereof. The upper end of the detergent dispenser 62includes a snap tab 68 which is adapted to snap fit into a shoulder 70in the inner lid 20. A recess 72 is provided above the shoulder 70 sothat a person can use his/her finger to push the resilient snap tab 68out of engagement with the shoulder 70 to remove the detergent dispenser62 from the inner lid 20.

[0032] The detergent dispenser 62 includes a compartment 74 to receiveliquid detergent and a compartment 76 to receive powder detergent. Awater inlet 78 is formed in the detergent dispenser 62 and residesadjacent the rear edge 50 of the inner lid 20. The water inlet 78directs water into each of the compartments 74, 76, as shown by thearrows in FIG. 8, to flush the respective detergent into the drum of thewashing machine during the wash cycle of the machine operation. Thecompartment has a ceiling wall 77 and a wedge projection 79 which issloped to facilitate flush-out of the detergent into the drum. Water isalso directed to the upper end of the detergent dispenser for exitthrough holes 80 to provide a pre-wet shower for laundry in the drum.The liquid compartment 74 includes a conventional stand pipe 82 so thatliquid detergent is not flushed from the compartment 74 until water isintroduced through the water inlet 78. The stand pipe 82 is formed aspart of the detergent dispenser 62. A siphon cover (not shown) is placedover the stand pipe 82 to create a siphon system. The stand pipe 82 andsiphon cover extend through a hole on the back of the detergentdispenser and is secured by a twist lock.

[0033] The compartment 76 is also adapted to hold a detergent tablet.The compartment has a bottom wall 73 and ribs or projections 75 whichspaces the tablet from the bottom wall 73, so as to enhance watercontact with the tablet. The ribs 75 are also sloped to facilitatedischarge of the tablet into the drum.

[0034] The inner lid 20 includes a pair of water inlets 84 adjacent therear edge 50 thereof. The water inlets 84 are formed on the frontsurface 44 of the inner lid 20. A pair of water channels 86 are providedon the rear surface 46 of the inner lid 20 and cooperate with the waterinlets 84 to define a water flow path to water outlets 88 adjacent thefront edge 48 of the inner lid. The water outlets 88 are positioned overa bleach receptacle 90 and fabric softener receptacle 92 formed in theupper wall of the cabinet 12, as shown in FIG. 9. Thus, at the propertimes during the wash cycle, water can be introduced through the waterinlets 84 and into the water channels 86 for dispensement through theoutlets 88 into the receptacles 90, 92 so as to flush bleach or fabricsoftener into the drum. The water channels 86 are preferably made ofplastic and welded to the rear surface 46 of the inner lid 20.

[0035] It is common in the art to utilize rubber hoses with spring steelclamps as the water distribution means to distribute water to dispensersmounted on the cabinet. The hoses are relatively expensive, andsubstantial installation effort is required during assembly. The waterchannels 86 provide an economical water distribution means.

[0036] The water channels 86 also include an internal dividing wall 87which defines a water trap 89 in each of the channels 86. When the lidassembly 10 is raised from the closed position, any water remaining inthe channels 86 will drain into the traps 89. Thereby precludingaccidental spillage onto a user or into the drum.

[0037] The inner lid 20 may also include sealing gaskets 94 which areovermolded onto the inner lid 20 adjacent the front edge 48 and rearedge 50. The gaskets 94 may extend partially or completely along theside edges of the inner lid 20. The sealing gaskets 94 engage portionsof the cabinet adjacent the access opening 14 when the lid assembly 10is closed to prevent escape of moisture during the wash operation.

[0038] Thus, from the foregoing it is seen that the inner lid 20 ismounted to the outer lid 18 without the use of separate fasteners andwithout penetrating any portion of the outer lid 18. Also, when theinner lid 20 is mounted on the outer lid 18, there are no visiblefasteners or connector means.

[0039] The invention has been shown and described above with thepreferred embodiments, and it is understood that many modifications,substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intendedspirit and scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it can be seenthat the present invention accomplishes at least all of its statedobjectives.

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved washing machine having a cabinet witha drum mounted therein, an access opening for access to the drum, and alid pivotal between open and closed positions, the improvementcomprising: at least one additive compartment mounted on the cabinet;and a water delivery system formed in the lid for delivering water tothe additive compartment.
 2. The washing machine of claim 1 wherein thewater delivery system includes water channels molded into the lid. 3.The washing machine of claim 1 wherein the lid further includes adetergent compartment.
 4. The washing machine of claim 3 wherein thedetergent compartment includes a bottom wall and ribs adapted to space adetergent tablet above the bottom wall.
 5. The washing machine of claim4 wherein the ribs are sloped to facilitate discharge of the tablet fromthe detergent compartment.
 6. The washing machine of claim 1 wherein thewater delivery system has outlets to direct water into the compartment.7. The washing machine of claim 6 wherein the additive compartmentincludes a bleach compartment and a fabric softener compartment.
 8. Thewashing machine of claim 1 wherein the water delivery system includes aplurality of shower holes to provide a wet down shower to laundry in thedrum.
 9. The washing machine of claim 1 wherein the water deliverysystem includes a water trap to hold water when the lid is raised fromthe closed position.
 10. An improved washing machine having a cabinetwith a drum mounted therein, an access opening for access to the drum,and a lid pivotal between open and closed positions, the improvementcomprising: a detergent compartment formed in the lid and having abottom wall and ribs adapted to space a detergent tablet above thebottom wall; and a water delivery system for delivering water to thedetergent compartment.
 11. The washing machine of claim 10 wherein theribs are sloped to facilitate discharge of the tablet from the detergentcompartment.
 12. The washing machine of claim 10 wherein the waterdelivery system is formed in the lid.
 13. The washing machine of claim12 wherein the water delivery system includes water channels molded intothe lid.
 14. The washing machine of claim 10 wherein the water deliverysystem includes a plurality of shower holes to provide a wet down showerto laundry in the drum.
 15. The washing machine of claim 10 wherein thewater delivery system includes a water trap to hold water when the lidis raised from the closed position.
 16. An improved washing machinehaving a cabinet with a drum mounted therein, an access opening foraccess to the drum, and a lid pivotal between open and closed positions,the improvement comprising: a water delivery system formed in the lidand having shower holes to provide a wet down shower to laundry in thetub.
 17. The washing machine of claim 16 wherein the water deliverysystem includes a water trap to hold water when the lid is raised fromthe closed position.
 18. The washing machine of claim 16 wherein thewater delivery system includes water channels molded into the lid. 19.An improved washing machine having a cabinet with a drum mountedtherein, an access opening for access to the drum, and a lid pivotalbetween open and closed positions, the improvement comprising: a waterdelivery system formed in the lid; and a water trap in the waterdelivery system to hold water when the lid is raised from the closedposition.
 20. The washing machine of claim 19 wherein the water deliverysystem includes water channels molded into the lid.
 21. The washingmachine of claim 19 further comprising a plurality of additivecompartments for holding additives to be dispensed into the tub.
 22. Thewashing machine of claim 21 wherein the water delivery system hasoutlets to supply water to the additive compartments to flush theadditives into the tub.
 23. The washing machine of claim 22 wherein theadditive compartments include a detergent compartment in the lid. 24.The washing machine of claim 22 wherein the detergent compartmentincludes a bottom wall and ribs adapted to space a detergent tabletabove the bottom wall.
 25. The washing machine of claim 22 wherein theadditive compartments include a bleach compartment and a fabric softenercompartment in the cabinet.
 26. The washing machine of claim 19 whereinthe water delivery system includes a plurality of shower holes toprovide a wet down shower to laundry in the drum.